Reds: 3 trade proposals to repair the broken bullpen

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PHOENIX, ARIZONA – JUNE 13: Relief pitcher Steve Cishek #40 of the Los Angeles Angels pitches. Could the Reds make a trade for Cishek? (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. Well, the Cincinnati Reds‘ bullpen is broken and it’s time for GM Nick Krall and the front office to fix it. The Reds own the worst bullpen in the league, and yet, the team is still in contention with about 100 games to go in the 2021.

There are some obvious parts of the Reds relief corps that are working well. Tejay Antone, who’s likely back this week, has been Cincinnati’s best weapon to deploy when needed. Lucas Sims has been solid, and veteran Brad Brach has pitched well. Outside of those three, there’s not a single arm in the Reds’ pen that David Bell can turn to with much confidence.

With so many question marks within the bullpen ranks, in order for Cincinnati to have a shot at a postseason berth and perhaps more, additional arms must be added. Who are a few relievers that may be available, and what would the Reds have to give up in order in pull off some deals prior to July 30th?

1. Reds trade Alex Blandino to the Los Angeles Angels for relief help.

The Cincinnati Reds have enough fringe major league infielders that dealing one is not going to hurt. Alex Blandino has value, but ultimately, he’s a utility player. Cincinnati already has adequate bench depth with major leaguers Kyle Farmer, Mike Freeman, and Alejo Lopez has been lighting up the minor leagues this season. Lopez could fill a bench role as well.

How about a trade that sends Blandino back home to California? The Los Angeles Angels seem to be out of contention in the AL West, though they’re currently sitting at .500 and awaiting the return of former MVP Mike Trout. However, sacrificing two bullpen arms like Steve Cishek and Junior Guerra wouldn’t send the wrong message to the LA fans that this team is rebuilding.

I know the idea of adding Cishek and Guerra isn’t a blockbuster type of deal, but it’s a very Cincinnati Reds type of deal. Cishek is signed for this season to a $1M contract, and Guerra signed a minor league deal with LA this offseason.

Cishek has a quirky delivery that he uses to confuse opposing batters and has career ERA of 2.84. His walk-rate is a bit high this season, but Cishek has yet to allow a home run on the season. Guerra isn’t quite the pitcher he was with the Brewers a few years ago, but over 18 games, he’s pitched 33 innings, meaning he has the endurance to give the Reds multiple innings of relief.

Cincinnati may have to sweeten the deal just a tad by adding a player like Bo Takahashi who’s 1-3 with a 6.23 ERA at Triple-A Louisville this season. The 24-year-old has spent seven seasons in the minors, but could be a back-of-the-rotation starter or long reliever out of the Angels bullpen.

DENVER, COLORADO – MAY 04: Pitcher Mychal Givens #60 of the Colorado Rockies throws. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) /

2. Reds deal youngsters to Rockies for right-handed relief.

The fact that Mychal Givens is still in Colorado Rockies uniform is quite shocking to me. Givens is a solid reliever, and it’s surprising that a contending team hasn’t worked out a deal with the Rockies. I don’t expect that to continue, and it would be in the Cincinnati Reds best interest if they could swing a deal for the Rockies’ reliever despite the right-hander currently being shelved on the IL.

Colorado will be big-time sellers as the trade deadline approaches. After dealing Nolan Arenado in the offseason and looking to move on from Trevor Story, it appears that the Rockies will be looking to gain some assets in the coming weeks. The Reds have plenty of young players to offer, and shouldn’t hold much back when it comes to securing Givens’ services.

That said, Givens is only under contract through the end of the season and will be a free agent this winter, so there’s no need to break the bank. Givens has a 2.78 ERA while playing half his games in the mile high air of Denver. The right-hander has 25 punch outs in 22.2 innings of work this season.

Colorado will be looking for prospects, and Cincinnati should oblige. Perhaps the combination of Yan Contreras, Noah Davis, and Scott Heineman would be enough to entice the Rockies to play ball. Contreras is young, talented shortstop prospect, and Davis could be a back-end starter in the big leagues. Adding Heineman could add some depth to Colorado’s roster.

In addition to Givens, perhaps the Reds could convince the Rockies to part with relief prospect Tommy Doyle. Doyle is currently ranked No. 21 within Colorado’s farm system according to MLB Pipeline and saw some time at the majors in 2020. The right-hander is currently trying to refine his stuff at Double-A Hartford.

WASHINGTON, DC – MAY 23: Paul Fry #51 of the Baltimore Orioles pitches. (Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images) /

3. Reds trade Nick Senzel in blockbuster deal for relievers.

The Baltimore Orioles are in the unfortunate position of being the worst team in the American League East Division. That’s right, the same division with the high-spending New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox, the youthful and talented Toronto Blue Jays, and the resourceful and savvy Tampa Bay Rays.

If the Orioles ever want to compete, they have to sell their assets when it’s time. With two relievers who are having terrific seasons, the time is now. Paul Fry and Cole Sulser are unlikely to be part of the Orioles organization the next time the franchise is relevant. However, they could land a pair of players from the Cincinnati Reds who could impact their next chance at the playoffs.

Nick Senzel, while talented, has been unable to stay on the field. Prior to this major league debut in 2019, the Reds could’ve garnered a lot more talent in return had they attempted to trade the converted centerfielder. But, here we are, and Senzel’s trade value has likely never been lower.

Senzel is currently on the 60-day injured list following knee surgery, further complicating any thoughts the Reds front office may have about moving the 26-year-old. However, Senzel isn’t even arbitration eligible until after next season and is under team control through 2025.

If the Reds and Orioles were going to make a deal, it would undoubtedly have to include left-hander Paul Fry. Thee southpaw is 28 years old, owns a 3.12 ERA this season and doesn’t enter free agency until after the 2024 season. The Reds have no reliable lefty in the bullpen, as Amir Garrett is a shell of himself and Sean Doolittle has been virtually ineffective.

But with a player like Nick Senzel in the mix, Cincinnati’s front office would have to ask for more. Perhaps Nick Krall could pry Cole Sulser away as well. The 31-year-old has 36 punch outs through 24.1 innings this season. Sulser is also pre-arbitration eligible.

Bradley and Iggy would not have helped the Reds. Next

The Cincinnati Reds may have to add a player like last year’s second-round pick Christian Roa, and maybe another low-level prospect in order to complete the trade. But, with depth in the outfield, the Reds may have to sacrifice one of their more talented players in order to secure the services of Fry and Sulser.

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